Multiple opening die and adjusting means therefor



June 6, 1967 E. w. PEARSON 3,323,348

'MULTIPLE OPENING DIE AND ADJUSTING MEANS THEREFOR Filed May 14, 1965 INVENTOR. EUGENE W. PEARSON W HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent G 3,323,348 MULTIPLE ()PENING DIE AND ADJUSTING MEANS THEREFOR Eugene W. Pearson, Orinda, Calif., assignor t Pacific Press & Shear Corp, a corporation of Illinois Filed May 14, 1963, Ser. No. 280,342 9 Claims. (Cl. 72-473) My invention relates to press brakes and the like, and more particularly to adjusting means for a multiple opening die for use in such type of machine.

In normal press brake bending operations, long pieces of metal are formed to various angles by means of a lower die having a V-slot or groove, and an upper knife die adapted to press such metal into the groove to form a desired angle.

In many instances, multiple opening dies may be employed, wherein a selected one of a number of available die grooves or openings may be presented for cooperation with the knife die to effect the desired bending of the sheet metal. Such multiple opening dies weigh up wards of 150 pounds, and in instances could approach 1,000 pounds or more, as they may range in length of the order of 6 to 20 feet. Because of such length and Weight, it usually takes a considerable amount of time and effort to lift such multiple opening die from its holder and rotate it to its different positions to elfect the desired adjustment of such die.

Among the objects of the present invention are:

(1) To provide novel and improved means for adjusta'bly handling a multiple opening die for press brakes or the like;

(2) To provide novel and improved means for totatably adjusting a multiple opening die in a press brake or the like;

(3) To provide novel and improved means for indexing a multiple opening die in a press brake or the like;

(4) To provide novel and improved means for rotatably adjusting a multiple opening die in a press brake or the like, which means permits of such rotational adjustment without contacting or rubbing of the die holder;

(5) To provide novel and improved means for rotatably adjusting a multiple opening die with a minimum of effort.

Additional objects of my invention will be brought out in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the same, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

'FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of a multiple opening die and holder, installed in a press brake and showing the invention associated therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 1, and depicting the invention in operation;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged end view, taken in the plane 3--3 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is an end view, taken in plane 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawings for details of my invention in its preferred form, the same is shown associated as installed in a press brake, the multiple opening die 3 being illustrated as resting in a holder 5, which in turn, by means of a rib and slot arrangement, is installed on the bed 7 of a press brake.

The multiple opening die is of polygonal cross section, thus involving a plurality of sides, in each of which is provided a longitudinal metal bending groove or slot opening 11, I3, 15, 17 etc., each having different crosssectional shape than the others.

The holder 5 for such die, includes a trough adapted to cradle the die, the trough having a sectional contour conforming to that of the die.

Above the die is the press brake ram 21, to the lower ice edge of which is affixed a knife die 23 in vertical spaced relationship to the multiple die, and adapted to be lowered into meshing engagement with the die opening which happens to be in cooperative alignment therewith.

Adjacent one end of the die holder, is provided means, preferably in the form of a shelf type bracket 31 for pivotally supporting a pivot plate 33, while adjacent the opposite end of the holder, is means for pivotally supporting a similar type pivot plate 35, such latter means including a bracket 37 having an upright 39 with an opening 41 therethrough on substantially the longitudinal axis of the multiple opening die 3.

From one end of the multiple opening die, extends an axial stud 45, while from the other end of the die extends a similar stud 47, though this latter stud will be of somewhat greater length than the first.

Each of these studs may take the form of a shoulder screw threaded into its end of the die, such screw terminating at its free end in a head 51.

Between the shelf bracket 31 and the proximate screw head 51, which functions as a stop, the first pivot plate is installed, in which position, it reposes at an angle to the vertical, the pivot plate being preferably provided with a notch 52 in its lower edge to straddle the bracket 31, and a notch 53 in the upper edge thereof to receive the proximate stud 45.

The corresponding pivot plate 35 at the opposite end of the die, is disposed between the bracket 37 and the proximate end 59 of the multiple opening die, to occupy an angular position substantially parallel to that of the first pivot plate 33, and like the first pivot plate, it is also preferably provided with a notch in the lower edge to straddle the bracket and a notch in the upper edge thereof to receive the proximate stud.

It will be appreciated, that with the pivot plates thus installed, that any pivotal rotation of the pivot plates toward a vertical position, will cause the multiple opening die to be elevated from its position in the holder 5; and the resulting support of the die on the upper edges of the pivot plates, will enable such die to be angularly and freely rotated, whereby 'to selectively adjust the die to bring any of its die openings into operative position with respect to the knife die above.

To accomplish such elevational and rotational adjustment through the use of such pivot plates, the stud or shoulder screw 47 is passed through the mounting hole 60 of a handle and the opening 41 of the bracket 37, when assembling the stud to the die, the handle terminating in an extension 67 beyond the stud, of a length sufficient to engage the bracket upright 39 as a fulcrum, and maintain such engagement when the handle is tilted to bring pressure to bear against the head or stop 51, whereby the handle will cause longitudinal shifting of the die, with resulting pivoting of the pivot plates toward a vertical position, and consequent elevation of the die from its position in the holder. The hole 41 through the bracket upright and the mounting hole of the handle, are of sufficient size to permit of this result.

With the handle in its die elevating position, the same handle can then be utilized to rotatably adjust the die in either direction of rotation, to bring any of the die openings into functional relationship with the knife die. To assure sufi'lcient engagement between the handle and the adjacent stud head or stop 51 for this purpose, I prefer to interpose some type of clutch arrangement between the handle 65 and the stop 51. One way of accomplishing this would be to modify the stop 51 by welding thereto at its inner end, a collar 68 having a conical or hemispherical side facing the handle and knurled or otherwise formed to provide a plurality of radial teeth 69, while the facing side of the handle is similarly provided with corresponding teeth 71 for meshing engagement with the teeth on the stop, whereby upon tilting the handle to elevate the multiple opening die from its supporting holder, the handle and the stop will interlock, following which, rotation of the handle in either direction, normal to the longitudinal axis of the die, will enable rotational adjustment of the die to any desired position thereof. Following such adjustment, a slow release of the handle will permit the die to settle back onto its holder in position for use.

Upon complete releasing of the handle, it will be free to drop to a hanging position, depicted in phantom in FIG. 1.

In instances where the die may be of a size to warrant the application of power for raising and/ or rotating the same, it is contemplated that hydraulic or other power means may be applied to the handle for such purpose. Preferably, however, the power may be applied directly to the die.

From the foregoing description of my invention in its preferred form, it will be appreciated that the same fulfills all the objects attributable to my invention, and while I have illustrated and described the same in its preferred form and in considerable detail, I do not desire to be limited in my protection to the specific details so illustrated and described, except as may be necessitated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Multiple die and adjusting means therefor, comprising a multiple die having a plurality of longitudinal, metal bending contour sections therein,

a holder supporting said die,

means for elevating said die off its holder,

and means for adjustably rotating said die while in its elevated position.

2. Multiple opening die and adjusting means therefor,

comprising a multiple opening die having a plurality of longitudinal,

metal bending slot openings therein,

pivotal plate means supporting said die at each end thereof at an angular position of said pivotal plate means other than vertical, whereby longitudinal shifting of said die will cause a change in elevation thereof,

means for longitudinally shifting said die,

and means for adjustably rotating said die while in an elevated position.

3. Multiple opening die and adjustment means therefor, comprising a multiple opening die having a plurality of longitudinal, metal bending slot openings therein,

a holder for said die,

means adjacent one end of said holder for pivotally supporting a pivot plate,

means adjacent the other end of said holder for pivotally supporting a similar pivot plate,

a stud extending axially from one end of said die,

a second stud extending axially from the other end of said die,

stop means on the free end of said first stud,

a pivot plate angularly reposing between said first pivot plate supporting means and the stop means on said first mentioned stud,

a similar pivot plate angularly reposing between said other pivot plate supporting means and the said other end of said die in substantial parallelism with said first mentioned pivot plate,

means for longitudinally shifting said die in a direction to bring about angular rotation of said pivot plates toward a vertical position to elevate said die from its holder,

and means for indexing said die while in its elevated position.

4. Multiple opening die and adjustment means therefor, comprising a multiple opening die having a plurality of longitudinal, metal bending slot openings therein,

a holder for said die, including a longitudinal trough,

said trough having a section contour conforming to that of said die,

means adjacent one end of said holder for pivotally supporting a pivot plate,

means adjacent the other end of said holder for pivotally supporting a similar pivot plate,

a stud extending axially from the first end of said die,

a second stud extending axially from the other end of said die and through said opening,

stop means on the free end of said first mentioned stud,

a pivot plate angularly reposing between said first pivot plate supporting means and the stop means on said first stud, and including a notch in the upper edge thereof to receive said stud,

a similar pivot plate angularly reposing between said other pivot plate supporting means and the said other end of said die in substantial parallelism with said first mentioned pivot plate, and including a notch in the upper edge thereof to receive the proximate stud,

means for longitudinally shifting said die in a direction to bring about angular rotation of said pivot plates toward a vertical position to elevate said die from its holder, said means including a stop on the free end of said second longitudinal stud, and

a handle mounted on said second stud between said other pivot plate supporting means and the proximate stop, and terminating in an extension beyond said stud, suflicient to engage said other pivot plate supporting means as a fulcrum when said handle is tilted into contact with said proximate stop, whereby further tilting of said handle will cause longitudinal shifting of said die, with resulting elevation thereof,

and means for indexing said die while in its elevated position.

5. Multiple opening die and adjustment mean therefor, comprising a multiple opening die having a plurality of longitudinal, metal bending slot openings therein,

a holder for said die, including a longitudinal trough,

said trough having a section contour conforming to that of said die.

means adjacent one end of said holder for pivotally supporting a pivot plate,

means adjacent the other end of said holder for pivotally supporting a similar pivot plate,

a stud extending axially from the first end of said die,

a second stud extending axially from the other end of said die and through said opening,

stop means on the free end of said first mentioned stud,

a pivot plate angularly reposing between said first pivot plate supporting means and the stop means on said first stud, and including a notch in the upper edge thereof to receive said stud,

a similar pivot plate angularly reposing between said other pivot plate supporting means and the said other end of said die in substantial parallelism with said first mentioned pivot plate, and including a notch in the upper edge thereof to receive the proximate stud,

means for longitudinally shifting said die in a direction to bring about angular rotation of said pivot plates toward a vertical position to elevate said die from its holder, said shifting means including a stop on the free end of said second longitudinal stud,

and

a handle mounted on said second stud between said other pivot plate supporting means and the proximate stop, and terminating in an extension beyond said stud, sufficient to engage said other pivot plate supporting means as a fulcrum when said handle is tilted into contact with said proximate stop, whereby further tilting of said handle will cause longitudinal shifting of said die, with resulting elevation thereof,

and means for indexing said die while in its elevated position,

said indexing means including clutch means between said handle and said proximate stop, whereby angular swing of said handle normal to the longitudinal axis of said die, and while said die i retained in its elevated position, will correspondingly rotate said die.

6. An article of manufacture comprising a multiple die of polygonal cross section and having a plurality of longitudinal metal bending groove openings therein,

a stud extending axially from one end of said die,

stop means adjacent the end of said stud,

a second stud extending axially from the other end of said die,

and stop means adjacent the end of said econd stud,

said last stop means including a clutch surface facing the proximate end of said die.

7. Adjusting means for a multiple die of polygonal section, having a plurality of metal bending contour sections extending longitudinally thereof, means at each end for engagement in elevating the same from a rest position, and a stop at at least one end beyond the engagement means at such end, said adjusting means comprising a holder for such die, including a longitudinal trough,

said trough having a section contour conforming to that of such die,

means adjacent one end of said holder for pivotally supporting a pivot plate,

means adjacent the other end of said holder for pivotally supporting a similar pivot plate,

a pivot plate adapted to normally repose at an angle between said first pivot plate supporting means and the engageable means at one end of such die when such die is at rest in said trough,

a similar pivot plate adapted to normally repose at a like angle between said other pivot plate supporting means and the engageable means at the other end of such die in substantial parallelism with said first mentioned pivot plate,

means for longitudinally shifting such die from such rest position in a direction longitudinally of said trough, to bring about angular rotation of said pivot plates toward a vertical position to elevate such die from said holder,

and means for indexing such die while in such elevated position.

8. Adjusting means for a multiple die of polygonal section, having a plurality of metal bending contour sections extending longitudinally thereof, means at each end for engagement in elevating the same from a rest position, and a stop at at least one end beyond the engagement means at such end, said adjusting means comprising a holder for such die, including a longitudinal trough,

said trough having a section contour conforming to that of such die,

means adjacent one end of said holder for pivotally supporting a pivot plate,

means adjacent the other end of said holder for pivotally supporting a similar pivot plate,

a pivot plate adapted to normally repose at an angle between said first pivot plate supporting means and the engageable means at one end of such die when such die is at rest in said trough,

a similar pivot plate adapted to normally repose at a like angle between said other pivot plate supporting means and the engageable means at the other end of such die in substantial parallelism with said first mentioned pivot plate,

means for longitudinally shifting such die from such rest position in a direction longitudinally of said trough, to bring about angular rotation of said pivot plates toward a vertical position to elevate such die from said holder, said means including a handle adapted to fulcrum on said other pivot plate supporting means and bear against the stop on such die when lying in said trough, whereby tilting of said handle will cause longitudinal shifting of such die, with resulting elevation thereof,

and means for indexing such die while in its elevated position.

9. Adjusting means for a multiple die of polygonal section, having a plurality of metal bending contour sections extending longitudinally thereof, stud means at each end for engagement in elevating the same from a rest position, and a stop at at least one end beyond the engagement means at such end, said adjusting means comprising a holder for such die, including a longitudinal trough,

said trough having a section contour conforming to that of such die,

means adjacent one end of said holder for pivotally supporting a pivot plate.

means adjacent the other end of said holder for pivotally supporting a similar pivot plate,

a pivot plate adapted to normally repose at an angle between said first pivot plate supporting means and the stud engageable means at one end of such die when such die is at rest in said trough, and including a notch in the upper edge thereof to receive such stud engageable means,

a similar pivot plate adapted to normally repose at a like angle between said other pivot plate supporting means and the stud engageable means at the other end of such die in substantial parallelism with said first mentioned pivot plate, and including a notch in the upper edge thereof to receive the other stud engageable means,

means for longitudinally shifting such die from such rest position in a direction longitudinally of said trough, to bring about angular rotation of said pivot plates toward a vertical position to elevate such die from said holder, said means including a handle adapted to fulcrum on said other pivot plate supporting means and bear against the stop on such die when lying in said trough, whereby tilting of said handle will cause longitudinal shifting of such die, with resulting elevation thereof,

and means for indexing such die while in its elevated position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,456,749 12/ 1948 Steibel 15321 2,821,234 1/1958 Robbins et al 15321 3,029,858 4/1962 Harper 15321 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner,

R. D. GREFE, G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiners. 

1. MULTIPLE DIE AND ADJUSTING MEANS THEREFOR, COMPRISING A MULTIPLE DIE HAVING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINAL, METAL BENDING CONTOUR SECTIONS THEREIN, A HOLDER SUPPORTING SAID DIE, 